At the 2026 AIA Conference on Architecture & Design in San Diego, Mbrico Tile Decks joined Cherise Lakeside, FCSI, for a live conversation about porcelain deck systems and their growing role in exterior architecture.

Mbrico Director of Business Development & Marketing Lukas DeWitt discussed the Mbrico systems, including porcelain decking, rooftop and pedestal applications, porcelain pavers, and outdoor flooring solutions. The conversation provided an opportunity to introduce architects and design professionals to a different approach to elevated exterior surfaces.

For Mbrico, the setting was especially relevant. Lakeside is a Senior Specification Writer at RDH Building Science with more than 30 years of experience in the architectural and engineering community. Her background includes specifications, standards, contract administration, quality control, project delivery education, and improving coordination across design teams. She is also a Fellow of the Construction Specifications Institute.

A Different Approach to Exterior Decking

Architects designing exterior decks, balconies, rooftop amenity spaces, and other elevated surfaces often have to balance appearance with a much broader set of performance requirements.

The surface needs to withstand weather and daily use while coordinating with the structure beneath it. Depending on the project, designers may also need to consider fire performance, drainage, slip resistance, maintenance, service life, accessibility, and how the finished assembly integrates with surrounding building components.

Mbrico approaches these applications as a complete deck system rather than simply as a surface material.

The system pairs durable porcelain with purpose-built components for elevated exterior applications, allowing porcelain to be incorporated into spaces traditionally served by wood, composite decking, concrete pavers, or other conventional materials.

Where Porcelain Deck Systems Fit

Porcelain deck systems can provide architects with another option for exterior spaces where long-term durability, low maintenance, and architectural appearance are priorities.

Mbrico systems are designed for applications including:

• Elevated decks
• Rooftop amenity spaces
• Balconies
• Terraces
• Hospitality environments
• Multifamily developments
• Mixed-use projects
• Commercial exterior spaces
• Luxury residential projects

Mbrico offers systems for traditional joist-framed construction, rooftop pedestal applications, and low-profile installations, allowing reinforced porcelain surfaces to be used across a range of project conditions.

That versatility is increasingly important as outdoor spaces become more integrated into the overall architectural program of a building.

Why Specifications Matter

A high-performance product still needs to fit into the larger design and construction process.

That is one reason the opportunity to discuss Mbrico with an experienced specification professional like Cherise Lakeside was particularly valuable.

Specifications help translate design intent into clear project requirements. Product selection is only one part of that process. Architects and specifiers also need information about system components, installation requirements, applicable testing, detailing, performance characteristics, and how a product coordinates with adjacent construction.

Lakeside’s career has focused heavily on these areas. Her CSI profile highlights more than three decades of experience involving specifications, standards, contract administration, quality control, and project delivery, along with a particular interest in improving communication and coordination between architects and consulting engineers.

For manufacturers introducing a less conventional building system, that specification perspective matters.

The question is not simply whether porcelain can create an attractive exterior surface.

The more important question is how the entire system performs, how it is detailed, and how confidently the design and construction teams can incorporate it into a project.

Supporting Architects from Design Through Installation

Mbrico works with architects, specifiers, contractors, and project teams throughout the design process.

Architectural support includes system guidance, technical information, CAD details, DWG files, project takeoffs, shop drawings, samples, and specification assistance.

For teams evaluating porcelain decking for an upcoming project, early coordination can help determine which Mbrico system best fits the application and identify important structural, drainage, elevation, and installation considerations before construction begins.

The goal is to make specifying an alternative exterior deck system as clear and practical as possible.

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